Focus on Family specialist seen in gay bar

WASHINGTON — John Paul, the former homosexual who directs Focus on the Family’s  “Love Won Out” ministry, was spotted recently in a gay bar in a largely gay neighborhood of Washington, D.C., according to Newsweek magazine.

Paulk, a former drag queen who is the “Homosexuality and Gender Specialist” at Focus on the Family, travels the country sharing his story of turning from the homosexual lifestyle. Paulk said he was looking for a bathroom, but Newsweek said Paulk “could not explain why he chose the dark gay bar over the brightly lit coffee shop across the street.” Newsweek said Paulk quickly left the bar after gay activists recognized him and began taking photos.

Focus on the Family described Paulk’s actions as a significant “lapse in judgment.” Peter Brandt, director of issue response for the Colorado-based organization, said Paulk “was a little bit curious because he had not been in a gay bar for 15 years.” He added, “It’s not uncommon for folks dealing in ex-gay ministry … to be in constant contact with people in that lifestyle. This is not a ‘strange’ experience for them.”